Willans, Fiona (2019) 50 years of the University of the South Pacific’s languages: who will take them forward? Directions: Journal of Educational Studies, 33 (1). pp. 79-89. ISSN 1011-5846
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Abstract
This paper provides an update to Lynch and Mugler’s (2002) article on Pacific languages at the University
of the South Pacific (USP). I begin with a brief overview of how Pacific languages have been incorporated
within the curriculum and research priorities of USP during its first 50 years, highlighting a number of
recent initiatives that we have implemented to bolster the institutional visibility and status of the
languages of this region.
I then turn to the question in the subtitle: Who will take them forward? This is a deliberately ambiguous
question with at least three potential interpretations: It is, firstly, an academic question about whether
the languages of the region are being passed on to future generations, and how worried we should be
about their sustainability. It is, secondly, a speculative question about how USP can work together with
partners across member countries and beyond to build and sustain our teaching and research in and about
so many languages. It is, thirdly, a slightly awkward question about who gets to talk and teach and do
research about Pacific languages, addressing issues such as insider/outsider claims to knowledge as well
as institutional constraints that may be serving to silence certain voices. I write as the discipline
coordinator for Linguistics and Languages, but also as an outsider to the region.
| Item Type: | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | L Education > L Education (General) P Language and Literature > PL Languages and literatures of Eastern Asia, Africa, Oceania |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Arts, Law and Education (FALE) > School of Language, Arts and Media |
| Depositing User: | Fiona Willans |
| Date Deposited: | 07 May 2020 02:17 |
| Last Modified: | 07 May 2020 02:17 |
| URI: | https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/12116 |
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